BOATS & BUOYS:LOBSTERING ON LITTLE CRANBERRY ISLAND

The Islesford Historical Museum
in Acadia National Park

On June 21, 2015, The Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum working in cooperation with Acadia National
Park opened a community-curated exhibition celebrating the men and women who have fished the waters around
Little Cranberry Island for generations.

The exhibition is located at the Islesford Historical Museum, where the rich history of the Cranberry Isles
has been celebrated since 1927.

Preserving History

Visitors to the exhibition are able to step on board the stern of a lobster boat and handle the tools used daily by fishermen; enjoy a video starring several lobstermen answering questions about their trade; and see boat models, paintings, buoys, and hooked rugs created by the fishermen and their families. The exhibit will provide insights into the challenging work and the many rewards of lobster fishing in Downeast Maine.

Today

With assistance from Friends of Acadia in Bar Harbor, The Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum formed in 2014 to work with Acadia National Park to rehabilitate and maintain the museum, a landmark building. The Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum’s goal is to re-kindle interest in this historic structure among year-round and summer residents of the Town of Cranberry Isles. The group hopes to raise funds to upgrade the building so that more historical objects may safely be exhibited there.

Photo Credit: Friends of Acadia / Aimee Beal Church

Historical Photos

Islesford is located on Maine’s easternmost island that remains inaccessible by car and yet sustains a year-round population.

Early Harbor - Bryant

Lee's Fishing Boat

Francis Fernald aboard the Blue Fin

Lobstermen

Most residents of Islesford continue to make their living from the ocean just as their ancestors did.

Current Photos

Lobstermen and Women Today

Among today’s fishermen are descendants of Islesford’s earliest settlers.

Lobstering

With magnificent views of Mount Desert Island as their backdrop and nothing but the open sea to the east, Islesford fishermen harvest many thousands of lobsters annually and ship them to all parts of the world.

More Images

Visiting Islesford

Approach

Visitors approach Little Cranberry Island by mail boat, private boat, ranger-led tour boat, or water taxi slipping in amongst the working fishing fleet and then stepping ashore into a real, Downeast fishing village.

Things to do

A restaurant, art galleries, post office, and the Islesford Historical Museum are all an easy walk from the dock. After visiting the museum, visitors may stroll on the beach or bike the island’s roads to experience this unique small island community.

Hours

The Islesford Historical Museum is open daily June 15th through September 6th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm and September 7th through September 30th 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Credit: Museum Collection. David Restivo/NPS photo.
BOATS & BUOYS: LOBSTERING ON LITTLE CRANBERRY ISLAND is open through September 30th, 2015, and will reopen in June, 2016. Admission is free.